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Gene93 Posted 11 years ago
Vocabulary
to expand on/elaborate on something
Hello,
What in your opinion would be the difference between them? Here's a sentence: "They refused to expand on/elaborate on the circumstances of the arrest." I think that we expand on something we've already said, but does the same go for "elaborate"? I think so.
Thank you in advance
What in your opinion would be the difference between them? Here's a sentence: "They refused to expand on/elaborate on the circumstances of the arrest." I think that we expand on something we've already said, but does the same go for "elaborate"? I think so.
Thank you in advance
Top answer
In the example you’ve provided (circumstances of an arrest) it might not be possible to differentiate between the two verbs. However, my usage would favour “elaborate on” when improving the quality of the information; whereas, “expand on” would imply increasing the quantity of the information.
- In the example you’ve provided (circumstances of an arrest) it might not be possible to differentiate between the two verbs.
- However, my usage would favour “elaborate on” when improving the quality of the information; whereas, “expand on” would imply increasing the quantity of the information.
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3 Answers
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In the example you’ve provided (circumstances of an arrest) it might not be possible to differentiate between the two verbs. However, my usage would favour “elaborate on” when improving the quality of the information; whereas, “expand on” would imply increasing the quantity of the information.
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Thank you. Yes, that makes perfect sense. However, if we expand on a point, are we not likely to provide more detail anyway? I hope you don't mind my asking.
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For example, the arrest is being explained to the next door neighbour:
I will confirm that I was arrested and taken to the police station by car on Friday; because they saw that much through their front window. I will expand on it by saying that it concerned the report by my garage mechanic that a gun was seen in my vehicle. I will further expand on it that I was not det
I will confirm that I was arrested and taken to the police station by car on Friday; because they saw that much through their front window. I will expand on it by saying that it concerned the report by my garage mechanic that a gun was seen in my vehicle. I will further expand on it that I was not det
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